Southern California -- this just in

Man convicted of torturing, killing family over alleged $80,000 debt

October 14, 2010 | 8:59
am

A Houston man was convicted of torturing and killing a Garden Grove family four years ago over an alleged unpaid debt of $80,000.

Quang Van Quan, 39, was charged with three counts of murder in the deaths of Phuong Le, 30; his wife, Ngoc Lam, 25; and their son, Tommy Lam, 6. The couple's 11-month-old baby was found alone in the home days after the murders.

A jury in Santa Ana on Wednesday found Quan guilty on multiple counts. According to the Orange County district attorney's office, Quan "faces a sentence of life in state prison without the possibility of parole at his sentencing on Dec. 17."

According to prosecutors, Quan called Le -- whom he'd met in prison and who allegedly owed him $80,000 -- on the night of May 26, 2006.

Quan asked Le to stay home, and a few hours later Quan and at least one accomplice went to the home, killed the family and stole their laptops and cellphones, prosecutors said.

Le's body was found by police days later in an office in the home. His ankles and wrists were bound behind his back, his underwear and pajamas were tied around his head and he had been stabbed several times.

Ngoc Lam's body was found in the master bedroom. Her wrists and ankles were bound behind her back, she had been stabbed several times and her throat had been slashed.

Their son was found in his bedroom. He had been stabbed in the back and head.

Authorities later found an "IOU" note in the home. The note written by Le said he owed Quan $80,000, prosecutors said.